The Federal Government is investing $150 million to upgrade aged care infrastructure to include more spacious rooms, increased privacy and decreasing the need for shared living quarters.
The capital grants form part of the 2020 targeted Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) which will also focus on dementia-friendly services aimed at allowing people with dementia to remain in their communities.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan says funding will also be prioritised that enhance infrastructure to improve infection prevention and control and to help providers in financial stress to bring their allocations of residential care places online.
“The grants will also make available 2000 residential care places targeting providers in a position to bring new beds onto the market quickly,” he said.
“Additionally, 1028 short-term restorative care places will also be made available.
“A further 8000 places will remain on hold pending the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.”
The residential care places in this round of funding are targeted to providers who can commence delivering care immediately or within 18 months.
In addition to the grant funding, the 2000 residential care places on offer will accommodate those providers which have made significant progress with residential care expansion plans ensuring care can be provided faster.
The Cowper electorate has received over $33 million in funding under the ACAR rounds since 2017, helping to create 495 residential aged care and short-term restorative placements.
The 10 projects included, over $8 million to Park Beach Residence Pty Ltd for 120 residential places – 32 dedicated to dementia.
Regis Aged Care in Port Macquarie received over $400,000 for six residential places in palliative care in the 2018/19 ACAR round.
Aged care providers in Cowper offer a range of services including, residential and home care, transition care, short term restorative care and multi-purpose services.
Applications for the latest ACAR round will close in March 2021.
